APUSH: Period 4, 1800-1848 - The Rise of Sectionalism, North, South, West

Why This Matters

The Rise of Sectionalism is a pivotal topic in American History, as it highlights the growing divisions between the North, South, and West, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of the Civil War. This phenomenon is closely tied to the AP theme of American Identity, as it reveals the complex and often conflicting values, interests, and cultural practices that defined the nation during this period. Understanding Sectionalism is essential for grasping the underlying causes of the Civil War and the Reconstruction Era that followed.

Key Events & People

• The Missouri Compromise (1820): A law that admitted Missouri as a slave state and banned slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36°30' parallel, temporarily resolving the issue of slavery expansion.
• The Nullification Crisis (1832-1833): South Carolina's attempt to nullify a federal tariff, which led to a confrontation with President Andrew Jackson and the federal government.
• The Wilmot Proviso (1846): A proposed amendment to the Mexican-American Treaty that would have banned slavery in new territories acquired from Mexico.
• The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854): A law that allowed new states to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery, leading to pro-slavery and anti-slavery violence in the Kansas territory.
• Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865): The 16th President of the United States, who opposed the expansion of slavery and was elected in 1860, contributing to the secession of Southern states.
• John C. Calhoun (1782-1850): A Southern politician who advocated for states' rights and the expansion of slavery, serving as Vice President under Andrew Jackson.
• Frederick Douglass (1818-1895): A former slave and prominent abolitionist who spoke out against slavery and advocated for its immediate emancipation.
• The Compromise of 1850: A series of laws that attempted to balance the power between slave and free states, including the admission of California as a free state and the strengthening of the Fugitive Slave Act.
• The Dred Scott Decision (1857): A Supreme Court ruling that declared slaves were not citizens and had no right to sue in court, further polarizing the nation on the issue of slavery.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The Missouri Compromise (1820) temporarily resolved the issue of slavery expansion, but ultimately failed to address the underlying tensions between slave and free states.
• Effect: The Nullification Crisis (1832-1833) highlighted the growing divisions between the North and South, setting the stage for future conflicts.
• Long-term consequence: The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) and the Dred Scott Decision (1857) further polarized the nation, ultimately contributing to the secession of Southern states and the outbreak of the Civil War.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Sectionalism*: The division of the United States into distinct regions with different economic, cultural, and political interests.
• *Nullification*: The doctrine that states have the right to nullify federal laws that they deem unconstitutional or unjust.
• *Manifest Destiny*: The idea that the United States was destined to expand its territory and spread its institutions across North America.
• *Fugitive Slave Act*: A law that required Northerners to assist in the capture and return of escaped slaves.
• *Abolitionism*: The movement to end the institution of slavery in the United States.
• *States' rights*: The idea that states have the right to govern themselves and make their own decisions, free from federal interference.
• *Slavery expansion*: The expansion of slavery into new territories and states, which was a major point of contention between the North and South.
• *The Underground Railroad*: A network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved individuals to escape to freedom in the North.
• *The Three-Fifths Compromise*: A provision in the Constitution that counted enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of representation in Congress.
• *The Southern Homestead Act*: A law that allowed Southern farmers to claim land in the West, which contributed to the growth of slavery in new territories.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Missouri Compromise was a permanent solution to the issue of slavery expansion.
• Correction: The Missouri Compromise was a temporary solution that ultimately failed to address the underlying tensions between slave and free states.
• What students often get wrong: The Kansas-Nebraska Act was a law that banned slavery in new territories.
• Correction: The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed new states to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery.
• What students often get wrong: The Dred Scott Decision declared that slavery was unconstitutional.
• Correction: The Dred Scott Decision declared that slaves were not citizens and had no right to sue in court.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the role of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in the lead-up to the Civil War. Be sure to include the perspectives of both pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups.
  • Evidence: The Kansas-Nebraska Act, the Dred Scott Decision, the speeches of Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas.
• Possible DBQ question: How did the Missouri Compromise and the Nullification Crisis contribute to the growing divisions between the North and South? Be sure to include the perspectives of both Northern and Southern politicians.
  • Evidence: The Missouri Compromise, the Nullification Crisis, the speeches of Andrew Jackson and John C. Calhoun.
• Possible LEQ question: How did the concept of states' rights contribute to the outbreak of the Civil War? Be sure to include the perspectives of both Northern and Southern politicians.
  • Evidence: The Dred Scott Decision, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the speeches of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis.

Quick Self-Check

1. What was the main issue addressed by the Missouri Compromise?
   • Correct answer: Slavery expansion
   • Explanation: The Missouri Compromise was a law that admitted Missouri as a slave state and banned slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36°30' parallel.
2. Who was the main proponent of the idea of states' rights?
   • Correct answer: John C. Calhoun
   • Explanation: John C. Calhoun was a Southern politician who advocated for states' rights and the expansion of slavery.
3. What was the main consequence of the Dred Scott Decision?
   • Correct answer: Slaves were declared not to be citizens and had no right to sue in court
   • Explanation: The Dred Scott Decision was a Supreme Court ruling that declared slaves were not citizens and had no right to sue in court.

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• The Missouri Compromise was a law that admitted Missouri as a slave state and banned slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36°30' parallel.
• The Nullification Crisis was a confrontation between South Carolina and the federal government over a federal tariff.
• The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed new states to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery.
• The Dred Scott Decision declared slaves were not citizens and had no right to sue in court.
• The Compromise of 1850 included the admission of California as a free state and the strengthening of the Fugitive Slave Act.
• The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved individuals to escape to freedom in the North.
• The Southern Homestead Act allowed Southern farmers to claim land in the West.
• The Three-Fifths Compromise counted enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of representation in Congress.
• The Wilmot Proviso proposed to ban slavery in new territories acquired from Mexico.
• The Kansas-Nebraska Act was a law that allowed new states to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery.